May SSSS General Meeting: Boat Detailing Tips From An EXPERT

Natalie Sears, the owner of Deckhand Detailing and author of The Insider’s Guide to Boat Cleaning and Detailing, will share some time-tested tips and techniques you can put to good use whether you’re a do-it-yourselfer or you prefer to hire a professional to clean and detail your boat.

She originally started her boat detailing business in 1990. Having never cleaned a boat before and afraid of water, it made perfect sense to her at the time to start a boat detailing business. (Gotta love the blind ambition of a 19-year-old!) Now many years later and many lessons learned, she has built one of the largest detailing companies in the greater Seattle area. Her company employs between 15 and 20 detailers depending on the season and they wash an average of 75 to 90 boats per week year-round, ranging from 25 feet to 150 feet.

She feels like after all these years, she has seen it all. From boats green with mildew to heavily oxidized gel coat, she and her dedicated crew have taken thousands of boats from dirty to clean and faded to glossy again. In doing so, she has learned a lot about the best products and techniques to use for many cleaning and detailing tasks. Natalie has been working with a product manufacturer to make a better polish and one of her employees worked with DeWalt to make a better buffer.

Natalie will cover the main topics of boat cleaning and detailing in her talk, which includes exterior cleaning and washing, cleaning canvas, caring for plastic windows, treating mold and mildew, polishing your boat and more. She’ll recommend products to use and provide a list of her favorite products and where you can buy them. After her talk, she’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have.

We will meet at the Olympia Yacht Club (201 Simmons St. NW) on May 10th, at 7:00 pm. We also will have a Zoom option for members who are not vaccinated or would prefer to attend remotely.  The link to register in advance for the Zoom option will be sent to SSSS members in late-April.

Our General Meetings are open to guests, your crew, and everyone who is interested in sailing.

We hope you will join us.